Witch World & Terminology Guide

This chapter contains general information about the world, its terminology, and some of the concepts that may be useful to understand while reading the story. 

(Warning: It might contain some spoilers.)

This chapter will be updated regularly. If you want me to add anything, just leave a comment.

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Witch: 

Witches are the true rulers of the world and stand at the top of its power structure. Only women can become Witches and manipulate mana and cast spells.

Shadow:

Due to the long incantations required to cast spells, Witches need someone to protect them on the battlefield.

Witches usually choose strong men to become their Shadows through a special contract. However, there are no strict rules regarding who can become a Shadow. In some cases, a woman, beast, or even a monster can become a Witch's Shadow.

They can also use their Witch's spells through the contract, though usually only a small portion of them, depending on the Witch's power.

Magus:

A concept/class yet unknown to the Witch World. While casting spells and manipulating mana typically requires a man to bind his soul and become a Shadow to another, Magna pursues the path of the Magus, seeking absolute mastery over magic without yielding his autonomy or bending his knee to anyone.

Trial:

Trial is the power ranking system in the world. When a Witch completes a mission from the Tower, she advances to the next Trial. With each Trial, her mana capacity increases, allowing her to use more powerful spells.

The Five Mothers / Matriarchs:

The Five Mothers, also known as the Matriarchs, are believed to be the creators of everything that can be seen by the eyes, heard by the ears, felt by the skin, tasted by the tongue, and smelled by the nose.

Each Matriarch has her own honorable name.

Before casting a spell, Witches must first chant the honorable names of the Matriarch associated with the element or type of spell they are about to use. Only after completing the chant can they manifest the spell.

Below are the honorable names/chanting lines of each Matriarch.

Matriarch of Life:

O Vein of the Living World,

River that has flowed since before the First Dawn,

Silent Mother of Rain and Sea.

Matriarch of Death:

O Eclipse of the Fading Sun,

Darkness that has gathered since before the First Light,

Blind Mother of Ash and Ruin.

Matriarch of Fate:

O Needle of the Woven Sky,

Thread that has bound since before the First Breath,

Unfeeling Mother of Luck and Destiny.

Matriarch of Time:

O Spire of the Eroding Coast,

Tide that has washed since before the First Age,

Tongueless Mother of Youth and Age.

Matriarch of Order:

O Monolith of the Solitary Mountain,

Scale that has balanced since before the First Rule,

Breathless Mother of Law and Marble.

Gaia:

Gaia is the mysterious AI/System that appeared after MC/Magna reincarnated in the Witch World.

It is not sentient, but it can be charged by eating food. Once it reaches 100% charge, it offers Magna three options to choose from and mutates his body according to the option he selects.